Winter Scents: Hitting the Right Notes

"Despite being a wood, sandalwood does not have a strong woody intensity. The best part is that it is versatile and can be used in both male and female fragrances," says Vengurlekar. In fact, although it is classified as a wood, the scent of sandalwood is a blend of floral and creamy notes. The tree Santalum album is unfortunately on the list of threatened species. The oil is harvested from the wood of the branches, trunk and the roots, and usually the whole tree has to be cut down before the wood can be used to extract oil. In a fragrance, this extremely valuable ingredient can have a memorable effect. It is also said to possess relaxing properties, reduce stress and promote restful sleep.